Computer game controller

ABSTRACT

A computer game controller ( 1 ) includes a tripod ( 12 ) from which a game player is suspended in a chair harness ( 52 ), or the like. A bearing ( 20 ) allows movement of the chair either back and forth and side to side, or rotationally about a vertical axis. Movement of the chair is monitored by a sleeved stem which moves in the same manner as a joystick plus rotational controller. Adjustable handlebars ( 24 ) including control means are fixed to the frame. A player supported by the chair or harness may move the chair or harness to control a car, plane, bike, avatar, or other sprite in the computer game. Other control functions are mounted on the handlebars and are operably by the player&#39;s hands. In use a player gasps the handlebars and controls the game&#39;s sprite by moving his or her body to move the sleeved stem&#39;s joystick type control. Thus the player is able to utilise their entire body to control action in the computer game, and exercise at the same time as playing the game. Elastic straps ( 70, 72, 74 ) may extend between the chair, harness or the like to increase the effort required for the player to move, thus providing increased levels of exercise. The frame is collapsible for storage and transport purposes. The handlebars and chair are adjustable to suit the game being played on the console and the size of the player.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved computer game controller.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With its growth in popularity, across a wide age group, home computergaming is now a major domestic pastime. A typical home computer gameconsole system will includes a computer containing the main centralprocessing unit or CPU, a visual display unit (VDU) on which the gamebeing played is displayed and some form of interactive unit or gamecontrol means such as a keyboard, joy stick, or joy pad enabling aplayer or players to react to and influence events during the course ofgame. Home computer games are sometimes played on a home computer suchas a PC in which case either the keyboard or a separate game controllersuch as a joy stick is used as the game controller, but more commonly,the CPU forms part of a dedicated computer game console using a domestictelevision as the VDU.

Over the years, computer gaming systems have increased markedly inspeed, sophistication and graphics capabilities. Game controllers havealso improved. When playing a driving game for example, it is possibleto control a vehicle appearing in the driving game using a customisedsteering wheel and pedals rather than a joy pad, joystick or the like,although such controllers are generally not supplied with computergaming systems and have to be purchased separately. It is also possibleto purchase highly sophisticated joysticks and other hand operated gamecontrollers in the after market.

However, despite the many improvements in game controllers, playing anydriving, riding or flying game on a computer essentially remains asedentary function. Whilst the player is able use both their hands andfeet when they are playing a driving game, when playing other games,players generally only use their hands with the result that whilstplaying a computer game may be involved and mentally stimulating, itdoes not result in a great deal of physical involvement for the player.

Children in particular, are keen players of computer games from an earlyage, although computer games tend to be more popular with older childrenand teenagers. The amount of time some children and teenagers spendplaying computer games is recognised as being a problem by many parentswho may feel that the time their children spend playing computer gamesis wasted and that their should be playing sport or physical gamesgetting more physical exercise and achieving health benefits from doingso. There is also a growing recognition of an increasing tendency forchildren, even very young children, to be overweight and even obese.Obesity in children is known to be a major factor in childhood diabetes.Whilst children's diets particularly the consumption of junk foods is amajor cause of obesity, lack of exercise is a significant contributingfactor. However while parents recognise that children should be gettingmore exercise for the good of their health they also “recognise that itis generally safer for their children to be at home playing computergames than outside playing in a public area such as a park or the like.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a computer, gamescontroller in which a player's physical involvement in their chosengaming activity can be increased.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or thelike which has been included in the present specification is solely forthe purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is notto be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form partof the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the fieldrelevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority dateof each claim of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided ameans for controlling a computer game in which a player is suspended ina chair harness or the like from a control means, the arrangement beingsuch that the player may move the chair of harness to control functionson the computer game.

More specifically, the invention provides a computer game controllercomprising means for suspending a player, in a support means such as achair, harness or the like, from a bearing means, the bearing meansincluding a control means for inputting position signals to a computerto control the movement of a sprite such as a vehicle or character, in acomputer game, the bearing allowing side to side, forwards andbackwards, and rotational movement of the player about the bearing andincluding selectively operable locking means for preventing eitherrotational movement or side to side and forwards and backwards movement,the arrangement being such that movement of the player's body may movethe chair or harness to control the sprite in the computer game furtherincluding resistance means for increasing the resistance to movement ofthe support means relative to the bearing, thereby providingphysiotherapy exercise for the player.

The control means is typically an inverted joy stick. Movement of thegame player performs the normal up, down and side to side controlfunctions of the joy stick. Other control functions of the joy stick maybe mounted on handlebars, steering wheel or other control means that areoperable by a player's hands and that are fixed to the frame from whichthe player is suspended. A rotational controller for control based onrotation about a vertical axis may also be provided.

One advantage of the present invention is that a player of computer gameis able to utilise their entire body in a seated or prone position tocontrol action in any type of computer game.

A further advantageous feature of the present invention is that theinvention is relatively straight forward to implement since the controlmeans can simply be an inverted joy stick and the movement of the car,motorbike, spaceship, other vehicle, computer game character, or thelike whose movement and actions are being controlled in the game whetherin first or third person. As used herein the word “sprite” will be usedto designate the vehicle, character, avatar or whatever object or personwhose movement or actions are controlled in a computer game by the gamecontroller.

Whilst the game controller could of course be utilised to control anyform of sprite in a computer game, the game controller is mostpreferably used to control a vehicle such as a motor car, motorbike,aeroplane, spacecraft or the like.

All of the controls are mounted on handle bars which are attached to aframe which is most preferably a tripod. The handle bars may include avariable height adjustment. A console is mounted on the handlebars.

The player holds onto the fixed handlebars by moving the chair orharness in which they are sitting or lying to actuate the electroniccontrol which in the same way as moving a normal joy stick, controls thevehicle in the computer game.

Typically a T-bar is suspended from the apex of the tripod. A chair maybe removably attached to the T-bar. An adjustable footrest may beattached to the chair.

The invention can also be used in physiotherapy applications, or withexercise equipment suspended from the frame.

The legs of the tripod are preferably hinged so that the frame may befolded in two for storage or transport.

The upper end of each leg of the tripod may hinged to the head/apex ofthe tripod so that the tripod may be folded up in like manner to anumbrella.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a mat is provided on which theframe rests in use. Three plastic mouldings are fixed to the matdefining three slots, one for each foot of each leg of the frame so thatthe feet can be locked in the mouldings to prevent the frame fromsplaying outwardly.

The frame is most preferably made of aluminium for minimum weight andmaximum portability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described byway of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a game controller apparatus embodying the present inventionconfigured for a driving game;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of the presentinvention configured for a flying game, but excluding a player harness;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 configured for aflying game, including player and harness;

FIG. 4 shows an apparatus of the present invention configured for amotorcycle game;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a head of the tripod of the apparatus ofthe present invention; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate components of a two part harness.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a whole bodygame controller 10 embodying the present invention. In FIG. 1, the gamecontroller 10 is configured as a game controller for a computer gamesimulating the driving of a motor vehicle (not shown).

The game controller 10 includes a frame in the form of a tripod 12having two front legs 14, 16 and one rear leg 18. The top of each leg isconnected to a top or head 20 of the tripod about respective pivots 14a, 16 a and 18 a as shown in more detail in FIG. 5. The legs themselves,are gently curved and are hinged about their respective mid points 14 b,16 b, 18 b so that they can be folded in two. The feet 14 c, 16 c, 18 cof each leg locates in and is locked in a cylindrical hole in a plasticmoulding 20 fixed to a mat 22 on which the tripod sits. The mat is madeof a fibre glass reinforced plastic fabric, although any strong flexiblematerial would be suitable for forming the mat. The locking of the feetto the mat prevents the legs of the tripod from splaying outwards.

A handlebar assembly 24 extends between the front two legs of thetripod. The handlebar assembly 24 is mounted to the front legs 14, 16 bymeans of plastic fittings 26 which can be slid up or down the legs sothat the height of the handlebar assembly is adjustable. The handlebarassembly should be detachable from the legs for storage and transport ofthe apparatus, but the specific manner in which the handlebar assemblyis connected to the frame is not critical.

As shown in FIG. 1, the handlebar assembly 24 includes two co-axial stubportions 30, 32 linked by two radial arm portions 34, 36 to a centralbar 38 extending parallel to the stub portions. The radial arm portions34, 36 pivot about the stub portions to enable adjustment of theposition of the central bar 38 relative to the stub portions. A controlconsole 40 including handle grips 42, 43 (not shown in FIG. 1) isattached to the central bar 38.

A T bar 50 (best seen in FIG. 2) depends down from the head of thetripod. The T-bar 50 is suspended from the head of the tripod by abearing such that it can be swung backwards and forwards and side toside or rotated about a vertical axis A. Movement of the T-bar ismonitored by a sleeved stem that is located in the centre of thebearing. The sleeved stem moves in same way as a standard joystick andtransmits the same control instructions as a standard joystick eitherside to side and back and forth, or rotation about vertical axis A. Thehead which is shown in more detail in FIG. 5 includes a locking meansnot illustrated, which can be activated to allow either side to side andforwards and backwards movement relative to the consol or verticalrotation.

As shown in FIG. 1 a chair 52 is removably attached to the T-bar 50. Thechair includes a foot rest 54 in the form of a bar which is mounted tothe chair by an length adjustable member 56 which is pivoted to thechair 52. Foot pedals 58, 60 are removably attached to the foot rest 54.

In the configuration for use in simulating driving a car shown in FIG.1, vertical rotation about the bearing about axis A is permitted andside to side and backward and forward movement is locked off. The playergrasps the handle grips which are angled down to simulate a steeringwheel and turns the vehicle by pushing on the handlebars and twistingtheir body. The pedals 58, 60 typically control acceleration and brakingas in a normal car.

The game controller is adjustable to suit different types of computergame. For example FIG. 4 shows the apparatus configured for a motorbikeriding game in which the handle grips are pivoted such that they extendgenerally parallel to the central bar 38 and, as in a typical motorbike,the right handle bar acts a twist grip throttle for the motorbike in thegame. Also the foot pedals 58, 60 are removed and the length adjustablemember 56 is pivoted so that the foot rest 54 is located generallybeneath the seat as occurs in a real motorbike, so that the rider canadopt a more realistic position simulating the riding of a realmotorbike. In the motorcycle configuration as shown in FIG. 4, backwardsand forwards, and side to side rotation is typically permitted whilstvertical rotation is locked off.

Also shown in FIG. 4, are three optional elastic straps 70, 72, 74 whichextend between the chair and each leg of the tripod. The straps make itmore difficult for the player of the computer games to move the chairand thus increase resistance of movement of the chair. This allows thegame controller apparatus to be used as an exercise type apparatus. Thelevel of exercise a game player will get from using the controller willdepend on the elasticity of the straps which may be adjustable to suitthe weight and fitness of the person using the controller. The strapsmay also be used with the game controller in any of the otherconfigurations but are omitted for clarity reasons.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is also possible to configure theapparatus for flying game with the player in a prone position. FIG. 2shows the apparatus with the chair removed 52 and the console 40 loweredand adjusted so that the player can operate it in a prone position byrotating the central bar about the stub portions 30, 32 and pivoting theconsole 40 so that it is at an angle of about 300 to the horizontal.With reference to FIG. 3 a player 80 is suspended by a two part harnessshown schematically one first part 82 of the harness being suspendedfrom the “T” of the T-bar supporting the players chest, and the otherpart 84 hanging from an upper part of the T-bar near the head 20supporting the players legs. When the elastic straps are used they areconnected to the first part 82. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the harnesscomponents in more detail each comprising a cushion 86, 88 suspended bywebbing. The webbing 90 supporting the leg/thigh cushion 88 isadjustable and incorporates a releasable cleat mechanism so that theplayer can mount the game controller apparatus resting his chest on thechest cushion 82 and place their legs on the cushion 84 with the webbing90 extended so that the cushion 88 is on or close to ground and thenusing a cleat mechanism shorten the webbing straps to raise the cushionto the operative position shown in FIG. 3.

Clearly, the exact configuration of the apparatus may be changed fordifferent simulations as well as simulating flying, driving a bike,driving a car, the apparatus may also be used to simulate a plane,spaceship, or indeed, used to control any type of sprite including anavatar in a computer game, and although it is best suited to driving orflying games there is no reason why it could not be used to control themovements of a sprite such as a monkey, plumber or a hedgehog or anycomputer game character, although the players movements would notnecessarily logically correspond with those of the sprite. The apparatusmay also be dismantled for storage and transport by detaching thehandlebar assembly 24, and the chair, removing the feet 14 c, 16 c, 18 cof each leg of the tripod from the plastic mouldings 20 and folding thelegs of the tripod towards each other, and also in two about the hinges.

It will be appreciated that as in all computer game controllerselectronic modification may be required for the game controller to beused with different gaming consoles. The electronics used are standardin the art and the necessary adjustments are a matter of routine for theperson skilled in the art.

The dimensions and materials used for making the apparatus may be variedhowever aluminium is preferred as the material for the frame and chairdue to its strength to weight characteristics.

It will be appreciated that the use of a player's entire body in playingthe game, particularly combined with the use of the elastic straps, willcreate an exercise value in game playing which has not previously beenavailable and will also enable the use of the apparatus forphysiotherapy and other applications.

It will be appreciated that it is possible to replace the chair/harnesswith a wheel-less pedal bike or motorbike frame for added realism. Alsoexercise apparatus could be suspended from the frame when appropriategames are developed to use the apparatus as an exercise/remedial therapyfacility.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown inthe specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are,therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive.

1. A computer game controller comprising means for suspending a player,in a support means such as a chair, harness or the like, from a bearingmeans, the bearing means including a control means for inputtingposition signals to a computer to control the movement of a sprite suchas a vehicle or character, in a computer game, the bearing allowing sideto side, forwards and backwards, and rotational movement of the playerabout the bearing and including selectively operable locking means forpreventing either rotational movement or side to side and forwards andbackwards movement, the arrangement being such that movement of theplayer's body may move the chair or harness to control the sprite in thecomputer game, the controller, further including resistance means forincreasing the resistance to movement of the support means relative tothe bearing, thereby providing physiotherapy exercise for the player. 2.A computer game controller as claimed in claims 1 wherein the means forsuspending a player comprises a frame and wherein a handlebar meanswhich can be grasped by the player in use is attached to the frame.
 3. Acomputer game controller as claimed in claim 2 wherein the position ofthe handlebar means is adjustable.
 4. A computer game controller asclaimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the control means is of thejoy stick type or of a rotational control wheel type.
 5. A computer gamecontroller as claimed in claim 1 wherein game control means, other thanmovement control means for the sprite, are located on handle bars,steering wheel or other control means that are operable by a player'shands.
 6. A computer game controller as claimed in claim 2 wherein theframe is a tripod.
 7. A computer game controller as claimed in claim 2wherein the frame may be folded down, dis-assembled or otherwisecollapsed for storage and transport.
 8. A computer game controller asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the player is suspended in a chair andwherein the chair includes an adjustable foot rest.
 9. A computer gamecontroller as claimed in claim 2 wherein the resistance means comprisean elastomeric strap extending between the frame and the support means.10. A computer game controller comprising: a frame having a headincorporating a bearing means; support means for suspending a playerfrom the bearing means, the bearing means including a position controlmeans for inputting position signals to a computer for controlling themovement of a sprite such as a vehicle or character in a computer gamebeing played on the computer; handlebar means which may be fixedrelative to the frame and grasped by the player; further includingresistance means for increasing the resistance to movement of thesupport means relative to the bearing; the arrangement being such thatmovement of the player grasping the handlebar means and moving theirbody may cause rotational, side to side or back and forth movement ofthe bearing causing a corresponding movement in the control means withthe resistance means increasing the effort required by the player tomove the support means thereby providing physiotherapy or exercise tothe player.
 11. A computer game controller as claimed in claim 10wherein the position control means is of the joy stick type or arotational wheel type.
 12. A computer game system for playing a computergame comprising a computer console, a display means for displaying agame being played on the computer game system, and a game controller asclaimed in any preceding claim wherein movement of the body of a playersuspended from the game controller is arranged to cause movement of asprite in the game being played.